Swine Flu (H1N1)

SpooF

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Posts: 3422

Loc: Richland, WA

3+ Months Ago

Quote:

In response to an intensifying outbreak in the United States and internationally caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5on April 29, 2009. A Phase 5 alert is a “strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.”

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Being a college student, this is really hitting down to earth for me. I interact with so many people from all across the nation/world and living in such a confined place (dorms), if one person gets sick, pretty much the entire floor that your on will get sick.

This was written by a member of my Fraternity:

Andrew C wrote:

As you all should know, the nation is on high alert because of a virus known as the Swine flu. Apparently the politically correct term for this virus is H1N1. Some Jewish people were pissed that it was being called swine flu and decided to call it Mexican flu, which obviously didn’t go over well. Whatever the *peach* you want to call it, swine flu/H1N1 is present. Now, the world and the United States of America are all declaring that H1N1 is an imminent threat to our health. There are a lot of different arguments to this. Many think that this is a conspiracy; some think that it is real, some think it is a way for the nation to divert our attention from the failing financial system, and there is even an idea that this is a scare tactic.

I don’t want to address any of those. I want to address the fact that this is a threat to our health. I don’t care if it is a real threat or not, we all need to take precautions to protect ourselves. Wash your hands twice as much, cover your coughs, if you feel your sick hold yourself away from others. Think about the health of our nation.

Think about it this way. If you live in the dorms, and there is one person sick with the H1N1 virus, it will probably spread to others. If it finds a way to spread to someone else it will probably spread to more. If only 500 people from WSU got this virus in the next week and a half, it will find its way to the west side of the mountains or other homes and begin to spread more!

Think of HIV/AIDS. I see the outbreak of that virus as similar to this one. It starts out small and scares a lot of people but at the same time, many stay ignorant to the threat. Because of this, millions of people are now victims to HIV/AIDS.WHY SUBJECT YOURSELF TO A VIRUS? It has been proven to kill in Mexico, there is no reason it won’t kill here.

So, I say to you all. Take the simple precautions that we were taught in elementary school to protect yourself and others and even more importantly, our nation from the Swine flu/H1N1 virus. Cover your coughs, wash your hands, and quarantine yourself if need be. This is a nation that spends BILLIONS of US dollars on the protection of our assets. Why can’t we spend a few minutes a day protecting ourselves from something more deadly and widespread?

If you read this far, i thank you. I don’t think I would even take the time to read this, but I feel that it needs to be a more important problem to all of us.

George L.

Bronze Member

Posts: 2207

Loc: Malaysia

3+ Months Ago

More about Swine Flu:

Quote:

Swine Flu

What is Swine Influenza?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there?Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

Swine Flu in HumansCan humans catch swine flu?Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160?F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu?In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.

In follow-up studies, 76% of swine exhibitors tested had antibody evidence of swine flu infection but no serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggest that one to three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.

What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there?Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1976. The virus caused disease with x-ray evidence of pneumonia in at least 4 soldiers and 1 death; all of these patients had previously been healthy. The virus was transmitted to close contacts in a basic training environment, with limited transmission outside the basic training group. The virus is thought to have circulated for a month and disappeared. The source of the virus, the exact time of its introduction into Fort Dix, and factors limiting its spread and duration are unknown. The Fort Dix outbreak may have been caused by introduction of an animal virus into a stressed human population in close contact in crowded facilities during the winter. The swine influenza A virus collected from a Fort Dix soldier was named A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1).

Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.

Swine Flu in PigsHow does swine flu spread among pigs?Swine flu viruses are thought to be spread mostly through close contact among pigs and possibly from contaminated objects moving between infected and uninfected pigs. Herds with continuous swine flu infections and herds that are vaccinated against swine flu may have sporadic disease, or may show only mild or no symptoms of infection.

What are signs of swine flu in pigs?Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed.

How common is swine flu among pigs?H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in the United States and something that the industry deals with routinely. Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Studies have shown that the swine flu H1N1 is common throughout pig populations worldwide, with 25 percent of animals showing antibody evidence of infection. In the U.S. studies have shown that 30 percent of the pig population has antibody evidence of having had H1N1 infection. More specifically, 51 percent of pigs in the north-central U.S. have been shown to have antibody evidence of infection with swine H1N1. Human infections with swine flu H1N1 viruses are rare. There is currently no way to differentiate antibody produced in response to flu vaccination in pigs from antibody made in response to pig infections with swine H1N1 influenza.

While H1N1 swine viruses have been known to circulate among pig populations since at least 1930, H3N2 influenza viruses did not begin circulating among US pigs until 1998. The H3N2 viruses initially were introduced into the pig population from humans. The current swine flu H3N2 viruses are closely related to human H3N2 viruses.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy Stay informed. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Take everyday actions to stay healthy * Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. * Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. * Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as the virus can spread that way. * Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. * Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

spork

Brewmaster

Posts: 6265

Loc: Seattle, WA

3+ Months Ago

There's a good website that provides self-diagnoses for people to determine whether or not they should see a health care professional:http://doihaveswineflu.org/

But seriously, most of the "threat" of this flu virus is the hype the media has caused about it. Read this article and calm yourselves down:http://www.latimes.com/features/health/ ... 6923.story

SpooF

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Posts: 3422

Loc: Richland, WA

3+ Months Ago

I would agree Spork, but none the less if you get it, it will make you sick and there is no reason not to take the extra procations.

ATNO/TW

Super Moderator

Posts: 23454

Loc: Woodbridge VA

3+ Months Ago

Fort Worth Texas ISD closed all of their schools until at least May 8th because one student was tested positive.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 76c58.html

spork

Brewmaster

Posts: 6265

Loc: Seattle, WA

3+ Months Ago

Quote:

Think of HIV/AIDS. I see the outbreak of that virus as similar to this one. It starts out small and scares a lot of people but at the same time, many stay ignorant to the threat. Because of this, millions of people are now victims to HIV/AIDS.WHY SUBJECT YOURSELF TO A VIRUS? It has been proven to kill in Mexico, there is no reason it won’t kill here.

Is this a joke? I'm not going to walk into an elevator anytime soon, touch one of the buttons after someone sneezes on them, and end up with HIV. That was a stupid comparison to make and completely irrelevant to the actual problem at hand.

I'm sure he meant well, but the letter your friend wrote came across to me as just blowing off some politically-charged steam. It's laughable at best, but doesn't really say anything useful. Wash my hands and stay away from people with the flu? Cmon.

SpooF

٩๏̯͡๏۶

Posts: 3422

Loc: Richland, WA

3+ Months Ago

I believe that idea that he was trying to present is that HIV/AIDS has been around for a while and people still have unprotected sex with people they don't know and are COMPLETELY susceptible to getting the virus. They get into the mind set that "it will never happen to me".

He never said you would get HIV from someone sneezing on a elevator.

Quote:

Think of HIV/AIDS. I see the outbreak of that virus as similar to this one. It starts out small and scares a lot of people but at the same time, many stay ignorant to the threat.

kc0tma

o|||||||o

Posts: 3316

Loc: Trout Creek, MT

3+ Months Ago

This isn't really as big of a problem as it is being made out to be, seriously. So there have been a couple hundred people world wide infected with it and deaths reported to be caused by it, but that is a couple hundred out of billions and billions of people. You're chances of getting it are so slim, you should be more afraid of lightning.

Alex Jones says it is the New World Order's beta test for something bigger yet to come.

dyfrin

Expert

Posts: 503

Loc: WI

3+ Months Ago

lol egyptianshttp://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... AD97SV03G0

spork

Brewmaster

Posts: 6265

Loc: Seattle, WA

3+ Months Ago

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyl ... XQ20090505

Bogey

Genius

Posts: 8417

Loc: USA

3+ Months Ago

dyfrin wrote:

lol egyptianshttp://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... AD97SV03G0

kc0tma wrote:

Alex Jones says it is the New World Order's beta test for something bigger yet to come.

And a lot says Alex Jones is really working for the government and telling all that because the Government wants them to... I think I have an idea for a fictional story from this

happykaka

Banned

Posts: 2

3+ Months Ago

The Swine Flu is a combination of four known strains including Avian flu, Human Influenza and two other viruses. This new strain of influenza is not only extremely contagious but also deadly, however, there are flu pandemic preparation measures you can take to ensure you do not get the Swine flu.

Stay HomeIf you are sick or have any flu-like symptoms, stay home. Do not go to school or work. Swine flu symptoms may mimic those of regular flu and cold symptoms.

Contain Your CoughCough or sneeze into the crook (inside elbow) of your arm. This way you do not transfer the germs to your hands and then to every object you touch. Swine flu is very contagious, and can spread easily by touching an infected object and then touching your face. A flu mask will help you avoid infection in enclosed spaces.

Wash Hands FrequentlyWash hands constantly to avoid swine flu. Anything you touch may be affected, so keeping hands clean will help you avoid infection.

Hand SanitizerCarry hand sanitizer with you. If you have things others have touched, use your hand sanitizer to avoid swine flu infection. In addition, avoid shaking hands or other hand to hand contact whenever possible. Also avoid kissing on the cheek or other face to face contact as a greeting method.

Public FacilitiesTouch public handles and pens as little as possible. These are loaded with germs that may carry the swine flu virus.

Air TravelWhen you fly, be most diligent about following these guidelines. Transferring any flu, including swine flu, is most likely in close quarters like an airplane.

Clean Your ProduceThe life span of a virus is different for each and can vary from as much as 48 hours to 100 years depending on the hardiness of the virus. Although there have been no known cases of swine flu transmission through fruit and vegetable consumption, there does seem to be some concern about the possibility. The best bet is to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables if possible. Make sure you wash your fruits and vegetables with water, and soak for greater effectiveness. Washes and using chlorinated rinses have not been proven to work. So far there have been no cases of swine flu transmission through fruits and vegetable sources.

Avoid CrowdsStay out of crowds as much as possible. Close proximity to other people will heighten your chances of to get swine flu. Wear a surgical mask in areas of high traffic concentration. Try to stay at least 3-6 feet away from people.

Eating and DrinkingDo not eat or drink after others without complete sanitization of containers or utensils. Swine flu can be transmitted by contact with infected eating utensils

Visit Your DoctorGet to a doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of swine flu including high fever and body aches. Swine flu can be deadly, and it is imperative to get to a physician immediately if you think you have swine flu symptoms and think you might have contracted the swine flu virus. Both Tamiflu and Relenza are antiviral medicines that are currently effective against some strains of Swine Flu. These medicines should be taken within 36 hours of flu infection for maximum effectiveness.

Jenie0109

Proficient

Posts: 408

3+ Months Ago

Okay, it was an information overload but it was a good read.I thought you could get the disease by eating infected pork chops.

Graham Bell

Newbie

Posts: 12

3+ Months Ago

I assume that the solution to Swine Flu has been already found. I was shocked when I got to know that many Mexican people caught that disease. I was nice to read this information ... thanks!

findme

Student

Posts: 66

3+ Months Ago

Different kinds of flu were came out ,,,, bird flu, swine flu... next what flu do you think to exist.

digitalMedia

a.k.a. dM

Posts: 5146

Loc: SC-USA

3+ Months Ago

These viruses aren't new. They are variants and mutations of pathogens that have existed for ages.

The "Spanish Flu" world-wide pandemic of 1918 was also a variant of H1N1.

grinch2171

Moderator

Posts: 6816

Loc: Martinsburg, WV

3+ Months Ago

Breaking News!!!!

The first celebrity has died of swine flu. This is a tragedy.

Attachments:

Swine Flue Celebrity Death

digitalMedia

a.k.a. dM

Posts: 5146

Loc: SC-USA

3+ Months Ago

grinch2171 wrote:

Breaking News!!!!

The first celebrity has died of swine flu. This is a tragedy.

But I thought you couldn't contract it from eating pork?

SB

Moderator

Posts: 8749

Loc: Aberdeen, Scotland

3+ Months Ago

First death of Swine Flu outside the Americas was confirmed today in my home country.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8099832.stm

This patient had underlying health problems, so it was inevitable he would die of the deadly flu.